Comprehensive Guide to Student Health Services at UWSP

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) is committed to the well-being of its students, offering a range of services designed to support their physical, emotional, and social health. This article provides a detailed overview of the health services available to UWSP students, emphasizing the integrated approach to wellness and the resources available to promote a healthy lifestyle.

A New Era for Health and Wellness at UWSP

After more than a decade of planning, the Health and Wellness Center at UWSP opened its doors, marking a significant milestone in the university's commitment to student well-being. This new facility, initially approved by a student referendum and later reaffirmed and approved in the state capital budget, consolidates crucial aspects of physical, social, and emotional health into a single, accessible location.

Centralized and Accessible Services

The primary goal of the Health and Wellness Center is to create a welcoming and convenient environment where students can easily access the resources they need to thrive. By bringing together various services under one roof, UWSP aims to enhance the overall student experience and promote a culture of wellness on campus.

Key Components of the Health and Wellness Center

The Health and Wellness Center houses several key components designed to address the diverse needs of UWSP students. These include the Counseling Center, Student Health Service (SHS), and fitness and recreation facilities.

Enhanced Counseling Services

The Counseling Center, previously located in Delzell Hall, has been relocated to the Health and Wellness Center to improve accessibility and visibility. Sharing a reception area with SHS, the Counseling Center features multiple offices for therapists and a group meeting room, providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for students seeking mental health support.

Expanded Student Health Service

The Student Health Service has significantly expanded its capacity with the move to the new facility. Doubling the number of exam rooms and adding specialized spaces such as an EMS hold room and procedure rooms, SHS is better equipped to provide comprehensive medical care to students. The inclusion of a lab, pharmacy, staff offices, nursing hub, locker room, meeting room, and breakroom further enhances the functionality and efficiency of the service.

Integrated Fitness and Recreation

All fitness-related facilities, including the Aquatics Center, Skyward Fieldhouse, Strength Center, and the new FitRec space in Marshfield Clinic Champions Hall, are now under one roof. This consolidation creates a comprehensive fitness and recreation area that caters to a wide range of physical activities. The fitness area has more than doubled in size, offering ample space for Dawg Fitness equipment and Group Ex classes.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

The Health and Wellness Center is not just for students; it is also accessible to faculty, staff, community members, and alumni. This inclusive approach ensures that the entire UWSP community can benefit from the resources and services available at the center.

The Seven Dimensions of Wellness

The Health and Wellness Center embraces a holistic approach to well-being, recognizing that wellness encompasses more than just physical health. The center addresses the seven dimensions of wellness: spiritual, physical, emotional, career, intellectual, environmental, and social (SPECIES).

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness involves the search for meaning and purpose in life, fostering a deep appreciation for the universe and individual beliefs. It encourages individuals to explore their values, beliefs, and personal philosophies to find inner peace and harmony.

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Physical Wellness

Physical wellness emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and avoiding harmful substances. It involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, a balanced diet, and responsible decision-making regarding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness focuses on recognizing, accepting, and expressing a wide range of feelings in a healthy manner. It includes developing self-esteem, self-acceptance, and the ability to manage stress effectively.

Career Wellness

Career wellness recognizes the importance of personal satisfaction and enrichment through work. It involves finding fulfillment in one's chosen career field while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness encourages creative and stimulating mental activities, promoting continuous learning and the sharing of knowledge and skills with others. It involves exploring new ideas, engaging in critical thinking, and adapting to change.

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness involves caring for the earth by protecting its resources and recognizing the impact of personal choices on the environment. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for the quality of the air, water, and land.

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Social Wellness

Social wellness focuses on the ability to relate to and connect with other people, establishing and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. It encourages active participation in improving the community and fostering healthier living.

Student Health Service: Your Health Care Advocate

The Student Health Service (SHS) at UWSP provides student-centered health care that empowers and promotes wellness for all students. SHS offers a wide range of primary care services and strives to be a health care advocate for students, providing medical care in a prompt, caring, non-judgmental, and respectful manner.

Making an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with SHS, students can call 715-346-4646. The staff will work to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Most visits are free for students enrolled in courses.

Input and Suggestions

SHS welcomes input and suggestions from students. Students can provide feedback by calling 715-346-4646, contacting or participating in the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), or dropping a comment in the suggestion box located at Student Health Service.

Available Services

SHS offers a variety of services, including:

Primary care services
Immunizations and vaccinations
Laboratory services
On-site pharmacy

Immunizations and Vaccinations

Vaccines are available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular clinic hours. A list of available immunizations and vaccinations can be obtained from SHS.

On-Site Laboratory and Pharmacy

The on-site laboratory offers a wide range of services, including phlebotomy and convenient on-site testing. The on-site pharmacy, staffed by a registered pharmacist, provides a convenient way for students to fill prescriptions on campus. The pharmacy can also help with filling prescriptions issued by outside providers, although this may not always be possible.

Reproductive Health Peer Educators

Reproductive Health Peer Educators (RHPEs) are student volunteers supported by SHS who provide programs to campus students about sexually transmitted infections, sex, love, healthy dating, and more. Their goal is to educate students about these topics in an open and exciting way.

Viewpoint Screening: Background Checks, Drug Tests, and Health Portal

UWSP utilizes Viewpoint Screening for background checks, drug tests, and health portal management. This service ensures that students meet the necessary health and safety requirements for their programs.

Ordering Background Checks, Drug Tests, and Accessing the Health Portal

To order a background check, drug test, or access the Health Portal, students should:

Click on "Find Your School" on the Viewpoint Screening website.
Click on the state where the school is located.
Scroll through the list of schools and click on UWSP.

This will log the student onto UWSP's background screening webpage.

Cost and Completion Time

The cost of the background check and drug test varies depending on the school and program requirements. The average turnaround time for a background check is 3 business days, although some checks may take longer. Negative drug tests are typically returned within 1 to 2 business days, while non-negative tests require additional testing.

Security of Personal Information

Viewpoint Screening ensures the security of personal information and does not divulge or sell any information to third parties. Students can access their background check and drug test results through their Viewpoint dashboard.

Understanding Results and Addressing Discrepancies

The "Expected" status on the results summary page indicates the estimated date of completion based on historical data. If a student believes their report contains inaccurate information, they can contact Viewpoint Screening directly to review the disputed information with the source.

Prescription Medications and False-Positive Results

Certain prescription medications can cause false-positive drug test results. If a test result is non-negative, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) will contact the student for prescription medication information.

Health Portal Requirements and Document Upload

The Health Portal lists the requirements established by UWSP and clinical sites. Students are responsible for providing documents to comply with each requirement. Documents can be uploaded by clicking the "Upload" button next to each requirement and attaching the corresponding file. Only PDFs or image files are accepted.

Document Review and Approval

Viewpoint Screening reviews uploaded documents, and they are typically approved or denied within 1 business day. Reasons for declined documents are available within the Health Portal messages.

Background Check Packages

Viewpoint Screening offers tailored background check packages to meet specific requirements. All reports begin with a Results Summary, which lists each report component and its status.

Criminal Record Searches

Criminal record searches are conducted at the state jurisdictional court (county court) for felony and misdemeanor records. These searches typically cover a history of seven years from the date of request. Statewide Criminal Records searches access a state's criminal records repository and cover most counties in the state. Federal Criminal Record searches are conducted at the United States Federal District Court for felony and misdemeanor records.

Nationwide Database Search

The Nationwide Database search covers over 200 million records from multiple jurisdiction-sources, including state court repositories, departments of correction, county courts, and other state-level agencies, as well as sex and violent offender records from all 50 states. A sexual offender index search reveals applicants convicted of sexual offenses.

Additional Searches and Verifications

Viewpoint Screening also offers additional searches and verifications, including:

Address History Trace
Credit Report
Driver History Report
Terrorist Watch List Search
County Civil Record Search
Bankruptcy Search
Workers' Compensation Search
Employment Verification
Education Verification
Reference Checks
Professional License Verification
Fraud Abuse and Control Information System (FACIS) Search
General Services Administration (GSA) Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) Search

Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

Viewpoint Screening provides comprehensive drug and alcohol testing services, including random testing programs and Medical Review Officer (MRO) services.

Collection Sites

Viewpoint Screening has over 14,000 collection sites nationwide where applicants, employees, or students can provide a sample. Negative results are typically available within 24-48 hours.

Random Testing Programs

Well-designed random testing programs identify employees who are using drugs or misusing alcohol. These programs involve submitting a master list of employees to Viewpoint Screening, which then uses a sequential numbering system to select employees for testing based on percentage requirements.

Medical Review Officer (MRO) Services

Viewpoint Screening retains the services of a MRO, a licensed physician with a specialty in toxicology. The MRO ensures compliance with federal guidelines and provides expertise in developing drug and alcohol testing policies.

Test Reports and Results

Test Reports are available on a secure login page and can be bundled with background check results or stored separately. Negative drug results are typically available within 24 hours of receipt at the laboratory.

Oral Fluid and Dip Testing

Oral Fluid Testing reveals the presence of up to five drugs, while Dip Testing screens for the presence of up to 10 drugs immediately.

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